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Journals
Infrastructures
Special Issues
Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management
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Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2025 | Viewed by 3852

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Saša Ahac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: road infrastructure design; environmental impact; sustainability; traffic noise
Dr. Josipa Domitrović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: pavement design; pavement management and maintenance; pavement materials; nondestructive testing (FWD, GPR); geosynthetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Miroslav Vujić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Intelligent Transport Systems, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: intelligent transport systems; cooperative systems; traffic control; ITS architecture; open data in traffic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable roads must be planned, designed, built, and managed effectively and efficiently—all while upholding strict environmental standards and ensuring the necessary levels of mobility and safety. Practices like the implementation of complete streets, utilization of recycled and renewable materials, and a holistic approach to drainage play integral roles in mitigating the environmental impact of roads today. Additionally, to meet the demands of modern transportation, researchers and practitioners who deal with road infrastructure must embrace new technologies. These include tools like Building Information Modeling in the design and construction phases and integrating the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence in predictive maintenance strategies. By incorporating advanced materials, smart technologies, and sustainable practices while considering the needs of all users, we can create road networks that are efficient, safe, more accessible, environmentally friendly, and resilient.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the current innovative tendencies in road design and traffic management, which have implementational potential in the future. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Strategies for minimizing the environmental impact of road infrastructure;
  • Sustainable materials for road construction;
  • Innovative road surfaces;
  • Autonomous vehicles' impact on road design;
  • Applications of IoT and AI in predictive road maintenance.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Saša Ahac
Dr. Josipa Domitrović
Dr. Miroslav Vujić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • smart roads
  • smart materials
  • complete streets
  • recycling
  • reuse
  • emissions
  • life cycle analysis
  • traffic safety
  • resilient infrastructures

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5670 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of Waste Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures: A Comparative Study of Asphalt Concrete and Stone Mastic Asphalt Gradings
by Ivana Ban, Ivana Barišić, Marijana Cuculić and Matija Zvonarić
Infrastructures 2025, 10(5), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10050107 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Crumb rubber (CR) obtained from end-of-life tyres (ELT) has gained significant attention in the sustainable design of asphalt pavements in recent years, showing a promising perspective in the enhancement of pavement performance related to its structural and functional properties. Existing research on CR [...] Read more.
Crumb rubber (CR) obtained from end-of-life tyres (ELT) has gained significant attention in the sustainable design of asphalt pavements in recent years, showing a promising perspective in the enhancement of pavement performance related to its structural and functional properties. Existing research on CR influence on pavement performance mostly focused on peculiarities of asphalt mixture modification procedures—dry and wet processes, CR content in the mixture and CR particle size. In this study, a laboratory-based experimental investigation of CR effect on two different mixture gradations, namely dense-graded and gap-graded mixtures with three different binder contents, was performed. CR was added in mixtures through binder modification, with a constant CR content of 18% by binder weight in all mixtures. Volumetric properties—maximum mixture density, bulk density and void characteristics, alongside mechanical properties determined by the Marshall test method—were determined on unmodified and modified mixtures. The goal was to evaluate the influence of CR modification with respect to three different binder contents. The results showed that gap-graded mixtures are more sensitive to change in CR modified binder content in comparison to dense-graded mixtures in terms of air voids content. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of CR-modified mixtures were slightly enhanced in gap-graded mixtures, showing a promising potential of CR modification for pavement performance. However, the choice of optimal binder content in CR-modified mixtures was shown to be a critical mixture design parameter due to the increased sensitivity of binder content change to the analysed voids properties and permanent deformations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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24 pages, 4944 KiB  
Article
Modeling Riding and Stopping Behaviors at Motorcycle Box Intersections: A Case Study in Chiang Mai City, Thailand
by Wachira Wichitphongsa, Nopadon Kronprasert, Moe Sandi Zaw, Pongthep Pisetsit and Thaned Satiennam
Infrastructures 2025, 10(4), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10040097 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 281
Abstract
A motorcycle box intersection is a signalized intersection with advanced stop lines or stopping spaces intended for motorcycles, creating a waiting area in front of other vehicles. This study introduces the External Driver Model (EDM) with microscopic traffic simulation using PTV Vissim 2024 [...] Read more.
A motorcycle box intersection is a signalized intersection with advanced stop lines or stopping spaces intended for motorcycles, creating a waiting area in front of other vehicles. This study introduces the External Driver Model (EDM) with microscopic traffic simulation using PTV Vissim 2024 software, which replicates the filtering and stopping behavior of motorcycles in mixed traffic on intersection approaches. This research aims to evaluate the traffic performance of motorcycle boxes with respect to motorcycle departure times, headway intervals, lane-filtering rates, and vehicle movement patterns at 12 signalized urban intersections in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The results show that the motorcycle box intersection has improved traffic efficiency, reduced motorcycle departure time, and maintained a constant distance between cars and other vehicles. Signalized intersections with motorcycle boxes improved traffic flow efficiency by favoring motorcycles without affecting car delays. Spatial-temporal visualization further supported the clustering characteristics of motorcycles in motorcycle-stopping areas, contributing to more orderly and predictable behavior in traffic. Furthermore, the lane-filtering rates demonstrated significant improvement at intersections equipped with motorcycle boxes compared to conventional intersection designs. These findings indicated that motorcycle boxes are valuable for motorcycle traffic management and intersection safety in urban areas with high volumes of motorcycle traffic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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21 pages, 7725 KiB  
Article
Trip Generation Models for Transportation Impact Analyses of Shopping Centers in Croatia
by Deana Breški, Biljana Maljković and Mihaela Senjak
Infrastructures 2025, 10(4), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10040085 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
For effective transportation planning, land use, travel behavior, and infrastructure capacity should be optimized to support sustainable urban growth and reduce congestion. Every new site development generates traffic volume, which can affect the quality of traffic flow in the surrounding road network. Therefore, [...] Read more.
For effective transportation planning, land use, travel behavior, and infrastructure capacity should be optimized to support sustainable urban growth and reduce congestion. Every new site development generates traffic volume, which can affect the quality of traffic flow in the surrounding road network. Therefore, trip generation, which predicts future travel demand, is a crucial step in the traditional four-step transportation model. In this context, the main objective of this study is to develop a model for estimating vehicle trip generation due to the construction of a shopping center, which is a significant traffic generator. The survey was conducted in Split (Croatia) at five existing locations, and linear regression analysis was used to develop models for different time periods. The results indicated that vehicle trips are strongly correlated with the gross floor area of shopping centers, with a high coefficient of determination. Additionally, this study presents a comparison of measured traffic volumes with estimates using ITE Trip Generation Manual equations. The findings suggest that these vehicle trip estimates should be reduced by approximately 40%. Since no previous studies have been conducted on the impact of land use on trip generation in the Republic of Croatia, the developed models represent a first step in creating a database that should be expanded with new data. Estimating the traffic generated by a new site development is a crucial component of traffic management, as it helps planners and engineers assess its impact on the surrounding road network and implement necessary measures to ensure efficient and safe traffic flow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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16 pages, 1863 KiB  
Article
Determining Passing Sight Distance on Upgraded Road Sections over Single and Platooned Heavy Military Vehicles
by Stergios Mavromatis, Vassilios Matragos, Antonis Kontizas and Kiriakos Amiridis
Infrastructures 2025, 10(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10030065 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Although truck platooning enhances transportation efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers freight transport costs, it can also create limited overtaking opportunities, potentially leading to risky overtaking maneuvers. The present study examines the impact of platooned heavy military vehicles on the quantification of Passing [...] Read more.
Although truck platooning enhances transportation efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers freight transport costs, it can also create limited overtaking opportunities, potentially leading to risky overtaking maneuvers. The present study examines the impact of platooned heavy military vehicles on the quantification of Passing Sight Distance (PSD). Two distinct cases are examined: single and platooned military vehicles passing, the latter formed by five trucks. The authors, by realistically modeling the passing task, examined the interaction between vehicle dynamic parameters and roadway grade utilizing an existing vehicle dynamics model. The analysis of various speed values revealed significant PSD variations depending on the examined impeding (overtaken) vehicle’s platooning configuration and utilized grade. The present assessment accurately quantifies the grade impact on the required PSDs for such special vehicle arrangements and can be applied to any vehicle platooning configuration. Moreover, a preliminary tool is introduced to assist road designers in accurately assessing the impact of roadway grade on the passing process. This tool, when combined with a more in-depth analysis of additional factors, can help justify the need for an extra lane in road sections where platooning regularly occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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19 pages, 4777 KiB  
Article
Driving Automation Systems Penetration and Traffic Safety: Implications for Infrastructure Design and Policy
by Antonia Antonakaki, Maria G. Oikonomou, Thodoris Garefalakis and George Yannis
Infrastructures 2024, 9(12), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9120234 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
The increasing penetration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) presents new challenges and opportunities for road safety. This study aims to evaluate the impact of AV penetration rates on traffic safety through the use of microscopic simulation scenarios based on the Villaverde network in Madrid. [...] Read more.
The increasing penetration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) presents new challenges and opportunities for road safety. This study aims to evaluate the impact of AV penetration rates on traffic safety through the use of microscopic simulation scenarios based on the Villaverde network in Madrid. Eleven scenarios were simulated with SAE Level 5 AV market penetration rates (MPRs) ranging from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. Vehicle conflicts, defined as instances where the time to collision was less than 1.5 s, were analyzed along with traffic composition and roadway characteristics. Multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to examine the relationships between time-to-collision (TTC), conflict numbers, maximum conflict speed, and critical influencing factors such as vehicle type and road capacity. The results indicate that higher AV penetration rates generally improve traffic safety, although the coexistence of conventional vehicles and vehicles equipped with driving automation systems introduces traffic heterogeneity, potentially influencing safety outcomes. These findings suggest that while AVs have a positive effect on road safety, further analysis is needed to address the complexities introduced by mixed-traffic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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24 pages, 3016 KiB  
Article
Reconstructing Intersection Conflict Zones: Microsimulation-Based Analysis of Traffic Safety for Pedestrians
by Irena Ištoka Otković, Aleksandra Deluka-Tibljaš, Đuro Zečević and Mirjana Šimunović
Infrastructures 2024, 9(12), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9120215 - 22 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1055
Abstract
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death among children and young people, and statistical indicators are even worse for the elderly population. Preventive measures require an approach that includes analyses of traffic [...] Read more.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death among children and young people, and statistical indicators are even worse for the elderly population. Preventive measures require an approach that includes analyses of traffic infrastructure and regulations, users’ traffic behavior, and their interactions. In this study, a methodology based on traffic microsimulations was developed to select the optimal reconstruction solution for urban traffic infrastructure from the perspective of traffic safety. Comprehensive analyses of local traffic conditions at the selected location, infrastructural properties, and properties related to traffic users were carried out. The developed methodology was applied and tested at a selected unsignalized pedestrian crosswalk located in Osijek, Croatia, where traffic safety issues had been detected. Analyses of the possible solutions for traffic safety improvements were carried out, taking into account the specificities of the chosen location and the traffic participants’ behaviors, which were recorded and measured. The statistical analysis showed that children had shorter reaction times and crossed the street faster than the analyzed group of adult pedestrians, which was dominated by elderly people in this case. Using microsimulation traffic modeling (VISSIM), an analysis was conducted on the incoming vehicle speeds for both the existing and the reconstructed conflict zone solutions under different traffic conditions. The results exhibited a decrease in average speeds for the proposed solution, and traffic volume was detected to have a great impact on incoming speeds. The developed methodology proved to be effective in selecting a traffic solution that respects the needs of both motorized traffic and pedestrians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Design and Traffic Management)
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